Which online business degree is right for me?

If you’re thinking about advancing your business career, you may be asking, “what is the best business degree to study?” If you want to gain business administration skills and leadership training, an MBA may seem like the obvious choice. But you have other options: The Ohio State University offers many online business degrees and certificates, beyond the MBA. When it comes to the next step in your journey, specialized expertise might make more sense than an MBA. 

Keep reading to learn about four advanced online business degrees and certificates tailored for IT and healthcare careers, as well as specialized analytics and supply chain pathways. 

First, let’s talk about why the MBA is the “default” for many people. The online MBA from the Max M. Fisher College of Business offers an expansive business education for students interested in ascending to leadership roles in their organization. It’s an AACSB-accredited business program, with a curriculum crafted by faculty who are entrepreneurs and executives themselves. Students in this program can personalize their education through relevant electives and earn a degree without quitting their day jobs. 

The online MBA for Working Professionals can be a great option for students who want a broadly applicable online business degree with a recognized acronym. But if you want to drill down into specific skill sets or industries, explore a few other options offered online from Fisher College of Business. With these “MBA alternatives,” you can master a specific domain while still gaining the rigorous training and global alumni network Fisher is known for. 

Online business masters degrees

Just like the MBA for Working Professionals, Ohio State’s other online business degrees are offered 100% online, with flexible class scheduling and requirements that can be completed on your own schedule. 

Let’s dive into two online master’s degrees in business that are strong MBA alternatives: the Specialized Master in Business Analytics and the Master in Supply Chain Management. 

Specialized Master in Business Analytics 

If you’re ready to shape the data landscape at your org, our Specialized Master in Business Analytics could be the right fit. This online business master’s degree is designed for students who want to understand and apply the science of data analytics to improve their organization’s productivity and growth. With a strong focus on acquiring and managing data, this pathway is ideal for those who want to transition into the world of management analytics. 

Master of Supply Chain Management

Interested in capitalizing on the growing demand for supply chain experts? Students in the Master of Supply Chain Management benefit from a curriculum tailored specifically to their field. This online business master’s degree is designed to address a critical workforce need and offers immediate upskilling, thanks to courses like operations management and supply chain sustainability. 

Online business graduate certificates

Want the expertise, but not ready for an online business master’s degree? With an online business graduate certificate, you can test drive the curriculum, while gaining relevant skills – as well as credits that can apply to a future MBA. 

Graduate Certificate in IT Business Strategy 

One specialized option is the Graduate Certificate in IT Business Strategy. This online business graduate certificate offers training in the core elements of an MBA, while teaching professionals to apply this expertise to meet modern IT challenges and ensure business-IT alignment in their organizations. As it offers a strong business administration foundation, all of the courses taken in this program can be transferred in and count toward the online MBA for Working Professionals. 

Mini-MBA Graduate Healthcare Certificate

The “mini-MBA” graduate certificate is designed for physicians or clinicians who want to learn more about the business of healthcare and how to improve efficiency at their organization. Students will obtain business knowledge through a healthcare lens and gain the skills to lead as healthcare administrators. Just like the Graduate Certificate in IT Business Strategy, 100% of the credits earned in this program can count toward a future MBA. 

If you’re ready to upskill and advance your career, but not sure about an MBA, you’ve got options. At Ohio State, choosing between specialized depth and MBA breadth doesn’t mean sacrificing a quality business administration foundation. Whether you’re a supply chain specialist or aspiring healthcare admin, there’s an online business degree or certificate for you. 

Ready for your next step? Contact our enrollment team today.